1. Chapter 9 Drug Identification and Toxicology By the end of this chapter you will be able to:
Identify the five types of controlled substances
Relate signs and symptoms of overdose with a specific class of drugs or toxins
Describe the role of various types of toxins in causing death
Discuss agents that may be used in bioterrorism
Define and describe the goals and practice of toxicology
All Rights Reserved South-Western / Cengage Learning © 2012, 2009
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

2. Introduction
Forensic toxicology helps determine cause-and-effect relationships
between
Exposure to a drug or other substance
and
Toxic or lethal effects from that exposure
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

3. Introduction People can be exposed to toxic substances:
intentionally— by treating illness or relieving pain
accidentally— by harmful combinations or overdoses
deliberately— by harming or killing others, or by suicide
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

4. Poison—Murder, Accidental Overdoses, and Drug Offences
Poisoning causes less than ½ of 1% of all homicides
Accidental drug overdoses are more common
Drug offenders
More than 50% of the federal prison population
About 20% of the population in state prisons
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

5. Controlled Substances
Hallucinogens
Narcotics
Stimulants
Anabolic steroids
Depressants
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

6. Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens
Often derived from plants
The effect and intensity of response to these drugs varies from person to person.
Affects the user’s perceptions, thinking, self-awareness, and emotions
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

7. Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens
Effects of an overdose may include
Increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, risk of heart attack, seizures, severe cramps, stroke, panic attacks, anxiety, or psychosis, death
Long term Effects include
Brian damage and mental disturbances, depression, episodes of recurrence, compromised immune system, breathing disorders, growth disorders
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

8. Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

9. Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens
Drug
Characteristics of Drug Overdose
THC (Cannibus)
Panic, increased risk of heart attack, anxiety, distorted perception, slow reaction time
Mushrooms
Anxiety, nausea, panic, poisoning, death
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

10. Controlled Substances —Narcotics
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

11. Controlled Substances —Stimulants
Increases feelings of energy and alertness
Suppresses appetite
Afterwards, depression often results
Overdose affects include high blood pressure, agitation, confusion, seizures
Stimulants tend to be highly addictive
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

12. Controlled Substances —Stimulants
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

13. Controlled Substances —Anabolic Steroids
A chemical structure similar to testosterone
Promote cell and tissue growth increasing bone mass and body muscle.
Popular with weightlifters, bodybuilders, and other athletes
What are some of the negative side effects?
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

14. Controlled Substances —Depressants
Affects the central nervous system by increasing GABA activity, a neurotransmitter
Increased GABA causes drowsiness and slowed brain activity
Relieves anxiety and produces sleep
Side effects include slurred speech and loss of coordination
Mixing depressants with alcohol and other drugs increases potency and health risks
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

15. Controlled Substances —Alcohols
In what way are alcohols toxic?
How is grain alcohol produced?
What are the classic symptoms of a hangover?
What is the effect of alcohol on the central nervous system?
What can chronic alcohol abuse cause?
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

16. Controlled Substances —Bacterial Toxins
Tetanus (also called Lockjaw)
Produced by the Clostridium tetani bacteria
Causes violent muscle spasms
Botulism
Produced by Clostridium botulinum—botulism
Paralyzes muscles
Causes irreversible damage to nerve endings
Extremely deadly in very small amounts
Most poisonous biological substance
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

17. Controlled Substances —Pesticides and Heavy Metals
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

18. Controlled Substances —Pesticides and Heavy Metals
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

19. Controlled Substances —Bioterrorism Agents
Ricin
A poisonous protein in the castor bean
Lethal in extremely small amounts
Enters the body in various ways:
inhaled as a mist or a powder
ingested as food or drink
injected into the body
Causes death within a few hours
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

20. Controlled Substances—Bioterrorism Agents
Anthrax
Bacillus anthracis, which forms endospores
Spreads to humans from infected animals
Enters the human body through:
Inhalation; causing breathing problems that usually result in death
Ingestion; becoming fatal in 25% to 60% of cases
Absorption via the skin; leading to death in about 20% of untreated cases
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

21. Summary
Forensic toxicology seeks to identify poisons or drugs in criminals and victims.
Toxicology is important in studying cases of drug overdose and sporting violations.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

22. Summary
Controlled substances fall into five main groups:
Hallucinogens
Narcotic
Stimulants
Steroids
Depressants
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

23. Summary
Poisons can be produced by living organisms.
Pesticides and heavy metals are common poisons.
Bioterrorism agents include ricin and anthrax.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9